We reach out to you to share an important update regarding a potential labour action from CUPE Local 2559 (CUPE). 

We can now share that Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School Division has received a 72 hour strike notice from CUPE.
 

This means Fort McMurray Catholic Schools support staff may begin strike action at 6am on Tuesday September 17, 2024. As we shared with you in our previous update, CUPE members voted in favour of possible strike action on September 10 and 11, 2024. 

The Support Staff of Fort McMurray Catholic Schools includes: Educational Assistants, Custodians, Maintenance staff, Child Care Services, Indigenous Liaisons, Teacher Assistant Supervisors (TAS), Community Hosts, Courier, Librarians, and Office Administrative Support. Our Support Staff are an integral part of the Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family. 

If there is no settlement reached before 6am on Tuesday September 17, 2024 there will be some changes within our schools on Tuesday.  
 

A safe, secure, and caring learning and working environment is always our number one priority in Fort McMurray Catholic Schools. Safety, health and security of our students is taken very seriously and will help to guide our decisions. In some cases, if appropriate supports are not available, students will be asked to remain at home.

School Operations:

• Schools Remain Open: Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School Division will remain open. We also acknowledge it is possible not all programming will be able to occur if a labour disruption were to take place.
• Early Entry Program (EEP): Classes will be suspended for the duration of any labour disruption. We believe this is the safest decision for the families of our youngest students.  
• Specialized Programming: Fort McMurray Catholic Schools is making the difficult decision to close our Specialized Programs (Independent Living Program/Vocational Education) for the duration of any possible labour action from CUPE Local 2559. We believe this is the safest decision for students in these programs and their families.
• Students with Exceptional Needs: Schools have identified students in mainstream programming who may have exceptional needs. We’ve assessed these needs and have created plans accordingly. For the safety of these students, their fellow students, and the school population some students will be asked to stay home for the entirety of a labour disruption. Safety is our guiding principle in making these difficult decisions. Families will be notified directly by their school.
   

Before and After School:
 

• Bus Services: All yellow busing services (with the exception of some Specialized Transportation) will continue without interruption. 
• Out of School Care (OSC): All programs will be closed for the duration of the labour disruption. Families will be contacted directly by their OSC program. 
• Extracurricular activities: May be possibly impacted during the strike action. The Challenge Cup volleyball season will be delayed. Multi-school competitions will be delayed. School practices and before/after school clubs/activities may continue. 
• After school facility rentals: Joint-Use facilities, such as evening gym activities and rentals, will not be available for the duration of any possible labour disruption. 

Arrival and Departure Procedures

• Drop-off & Pick-up: Families are advised to possibly allow extra time due to potential delays caused by picketing. Designated drop-off areas will be supervised as per our regular procedure. If you have any issues during drop off or pick up due to strike activity please contact your school administration. 
   

Sharing of information:
 

How will families be notified in the event of any possible updates/changes: Regular updates will be shared by email and on our website and social media. In the event of an urgent matter which requires immediate attention we will also send messages via SMS/text message. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Edsby. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates and information through email and our website. If you have questions specific to your child(ren), please contact your child’s school directly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding with this matter. We will continue to share updates with staff and all families when information is confirmed and can be shared. 

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools